In the Know The herb (not the pillowy sweet treat!) marshmallow is the go-to ingredient when dealing with many gastrointestinal and respiratory issues. Its magical mucilage property gives it a glue-like quality that has lent this often overlooked herb the reputation as a necessary inclusion in the cupboards of herbal tea aficionados around the globe. And though the eventual candy marshmallow began its evolutionary journey as long ago as 2000 B.C., today, the sticky sweet treat is a far cry from the beneficial form of Buddha Teas Marshmallow Tea. What Exactly is Marshmallow? Althaea officinalis … the official name of the mallow plant, is a perennial species native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. The name itself evolved from the marshy habitat of the mallow plant, thus marsh-mallow. Marshmallow boasts some unique qualities, which include its nature to create a viscous substance that overlays membranes.